Are you a good hormone detoxifier? 4 things you can do to help

It is becoming more and more difficult to be just that, thanks to hormone-related issues, which are on the rise. We see many of these in our practice in clients of all ages and both genders but more commonly in women, of course.

Symptoms of these imbalances are as follows:

Acne and amenorrhea in teenage girls

PCOS and infertility in those of childbearing age

Menopause-related symptoms like hot flashes and insomnia

Hormone-mediated cancers in post-menopausal women

Increased abdominal fat and loss of libido in middle-aged men

Weight gain

All of these symptoms relate to our bodies’ ability to metabolize hormones and its interaction with our lifestyle and diet.

Genes are not your destiny

Many genes play a role in our body’s ability to metabolize hormones—make them, get them to the right place, detoxify them and eliminate them from our bodies in safe ways.

For some of us, our bodies don’t make enough hormones, while others’ make too many or recycle them against our favor. Some of us are more prone to making more dangerous metabolites of hormone synthesis, while others cannot get rid of hormones after they are made.

The sciences of epigenetics and nutrigenomics—how our environment and the food we eat can influence gene expression—have clearly shown that we have much more control over our health than we previously thought. While hormone-related imbalances are rooted in our genetic predisposition, a proper diet and lifestyle can trump genetics.

Things you can do

Luckily, readily available, low-risk interventions can help us with a variety of hormone-related issues.

Check for hormones in your food, personal care products and medications. We may be consuming hormone-like substances through our medications, the food we eat, the personal care products we use, or the synthetic chemicals we come in contact with, such as those found in plastic bottles.

When choosing protein, opt for lower-fat wild game, especially if you suffer from one of the conditions mentioned above or are struggling with another hormone-related issue. Examples include buffalo/bison, elk,and wild boar. These types of meat, which we recommend in our upcoming book, The Wildatarian Diet: Living As Nature Intended, are much lower in cholesterol and fats and higher in minerals that support hormone balance.

Get more apple pectin, psyllium or bran in your diet. These are all forms of soluble fiber that will actually help to escort hormone byproducts from our digestive tract. We all know that fiber helps to keep us “regular” and helps blunt blood glucose spikes from our meals, but this type of fiber can also play a huge role in clearing both endogenous and exogenous hormones out of the body. Avoid this if you have ulcerative colitis.

Make sure your body’s hormone detoxification capacity is up to par, especially if you are considering hormone supplementation like birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. My favorite way to do this is by drinking cilantro cucumber juice, whose recipe is included in The Wildatarian Diet: Living As Nature Intended.

Isn’t it great to know that hormone dysregulation doesn’t have to be something you’re stuck living with? Following a healthy diet and lifestyle and the tips above can go a long way in helping you enjoy optimal hormone health.

About The Author

Teri is an Integrative Practitioner and thought leader in nutritional counseling. She received her Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Florida and she is a graduate of the Huntington College of Health Sciences, the National Leadership Institute. She is a Certified Coach Practitioner (CCP) and has extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices, including the Healing Touch, Craniosacral Therapy, Meditation Techniques, and Herbology.